I have a Sako 85 Stainless Synthetic in .25-06. I love the gun...truly an engineering marvel in every sense (except one). I'd only had it for a few weeks before I decided that the cheap plastic stock just had to go. It's so mismatched witha rifle of this quality. I called Beretta (America's sole importer of Sako rifles), thinking that I wouldorder a wood stock from either the 85 Hunter or 85 Grey Wolf series.
I got a gentlemen on the phone who could not seem to figure out how toorder a stock for me. Not a problem though, as he took my name and number and promised to call mebacklater that day. I never heard from him. In the week that followed,I opened a customer account on theBerettawebsite, and posted my inquiry in the hopesof getting some help. As of 2 months later, it's still not been answered -- status still shows pending.
About two weeks ago, I called back and talked with another fellow for about 20 minutes. I was informed that stocks -- and all parts for that matter -- were not yet available for theSako 85 rifles. I was dumbfounded. You mean, I can not get ANY part for this rifle? They've been on the market for over a year!What if I had broken my stock, orlost an action screw or something. Apparently, I'd be out of luck.
I just didn't find this to beacceptable.From my perspective, if you're going to sell the rifle (at $1400 mind you), you'd darn well better have a supply of parts available.Beretta didn't even offer to contact Sako on my behalf, as Sako clearly has stocks for these rifles. I asked him (politely) to transfer me to the Customer ServiceDirector, because I wanted Beretta to know that one of their customers foundthis tobe an unacceptablesituation. I got the guy's voicemail, andI asked him (very politely) to return my phone call when he had time. I never heard from him. This was the Director of Customer Service for Beretta who would not return my call.
Aside from the issue with getting parts, which has now become a secondary issue to me compared to being ignored by the company,I'm of the opinion that Beretta's Customer Service Department is a dysfunctional organization. Unanswered emails, unreturned phone calls,and an overall apatheticviewpointtoward a customer who spent $1400 on a top-end rifle. I will never, EVER buy a Beretta gun because of the way this company has treated me. Just wanted to share, as I've heard that others have had problems withBeretta Customer Service.
I've heard a lot of bad things about Beretta, they seem to give people th runaround when it comes to long guns made outside of the United States.
FWIW, I had one dealing with them 5 years or so ago ordering a hammer spring for a 96D pistol. It was quick, ,cheap, easy, and they shipped it fast.
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My Experience with Beretta Customer Service
